Bicycle offenders to take classes

The Cabinet approved a proposal Friday to require bicyclists who persistently violate traffic regulations to attend a safety training program.

Those who ride a bicycle while drunk or run a red light more than twice within three years will be ordered to attend the program under the planned revisions to the Road Traffic Law. Fines of up to ¥50,000 will be imposed for nonattendance.

The revised law will also tighten regulations for applications for vehicle driver’s licenses. Those who conceal diseases that may affect their driving abilities when obtaining or renewing licenses, including epilepsy and schizophrenia, will face up to 1 year imprisonment or a maximum fine of ¥300,000.

A bill to revise the law is expected to be passed during the current Diet session.